Stephan’s computer has been attacked once again. He is unable to post today’s edition. Technicians are working on his system, but cleaning up the malware will cost another $500. He wants to thank everyone for your continued support.
Remote Viewing the Year 2060
Given how many times this has happened to you I am presuming you’ve consulted experts and run at least the most highly rated commercial anti-malware defences. If attackers still get through often this implies determined and skilled attacker(s) and not run-of-the-mill network gangsters.
Of course I am working from complete ignorance as to the nature of the “attacks” or the particular malware involved so my comments must be general in nature.
If there is one, or at least one primary source of the attacks, it *may* be possible for law enforcement to help track down the perpetrator(s) and act to stop them.
Given that the nature of your work often has political overtones and the motivation of the attacker(s) is likely political, this could be more than a mundane criminal matter.
Are you familiar with the “Citizen Lab” at the University of Toronto? I mention them because they have helped others outside of Canada facing political cyber attacks. They are world-renowned for their ability to get to the bottom of problems that leave others baffled.
https://citizenlab.ca/
If you have not discussed your problem with them, I suggest it might well be worth your while to do so. They can probably at least offer some advice and my hunch is they might “adopt” your “case” as one worth pursuing right back to the desk of the perpetrator. Law enforcement is typically under-resourced when it comes to cyber crime so can rarely manage that kind of detective work. However if provided with the evidence and tracking data, it’s more likely that something will be done.
You probably have a much better idea than I do about who is responsible. I can only speculate as to the motivations of the folks attacking your work based on who would most likely be displeased by the kind of information you often provide. At the top of the suspect list would be domestic US right wing political actors and given their persistence, more likely well-resourced actors than isolated freelance hackers. And if they are going after you frequently, they are probably going after others as well.
Of course that is just a hunch on my part. I know nothing about your attacker(s) other than that they attack you frequently.
This SHOULD be a law-enforcement priority as the negative impact on political discourse and thus the functionality of democratic institutions likely extends well beyond being a nuisance to you and keeping you off the net for a few days now and then. Authoritarians frequently begin by silencing critics and circumscribing political debate to control the narrative and de-educate the public. I don’t know that is what’s happening here but given other reports from your country about right wing extremism, it’s a possibility that needs to be exposed if true. And given that it involves criminal actions, law enforcement should be on the case. Given the difficulty of tracking a few isolated attacks, this is a job for Citizen Lab. They have an amazing track record for sniffing out cyber vermin.
Good luck
Anon E. Mouse
I am sorry to hear about your problems, Stephan. I also know that it MUST be Republican hackers who are very prdominant and have a large supply of money behind them, whuch I am sure you are aware of. I have also had a lot of problems with hackers who have stolen my identity and messed up my computers. I have three in my basement, which is my office, as well as two more upstairs. They have all been attacked. I wish you the best in finding out who is complcit in this particular attack, and getting back at them; maybe getting them arrested, I hope. Good luck!